Windows PowerShell Screen Capture via CopyFromScreen

ATT&CK techniques

Collection

Recon
Resource Dev
Initial Access
Execution
Persistence
Priv Esc
Defense Evasion
Cred Access
Discovery
Lateral Movement
Collection
- T1113Screen Capture
C2
Exfiltration
Impact

What it detects

This rule flags PowerShell script content that includes the .CopyFromScreen method, which can be used to capture the desktop. Screen capture is a common post-compromise behavior used to collect sensitive information visible on the screen. The detection relies on script block text telemetry that records the presence of .CopyFromScreen in executed PowerShell.

Reporting behind it

Related detections9 linkedT1113 — drag to rearrange

Suspicious Keylog and Screenshot Files in windows-cache Directory (OtterCookie)

Suspicious RDP Shadow Session Started - Native (via rdp)

Malicious RDP Shadow Session Configuration Enabled - Registry (via registry_event)

Suspicious GoGRPC Screen Capture Log File Creation (via file_event)

Suspicious Screen Capture via PowerShell Graphics API (via process_creation)

Malicious RDP Shadow Session Started - Command (via process_creation)

Windows Registry: EnablePeriodicBackup value set for periodic system hive backups

Windows Recall Enabled by Deleting DisableAIDataAnalysis Registry Value

Windows Recall Enabled by Registry: DisableAIDataAnalysis Set to 0 (Windows)

Windows PowerShell Screen Capture via CopyFromScreen

Pivot detection · T1113 · 9 related

Changelog

v2

v2
Candidate ingested via manual entry.2026-07-31
v1
No changelog recorded for this version.2026-07-30

Detection content is published as a reviewed draft. Tune thresholds and exclusions against your own telemetry before enabling this rule for alerting.

windows-powershell-screen-capture-via-copyfromscreen-d4a11f63

title: Windows PowerShell Screen Capture via CopyFromScreen
id: edbca12f-886c-41a4-b084-15ef5489fd75
status: test
description: This rule flags PowerShell script content that includes the .CopyFromScreen method, which can be used to capture the desktop. Screen capture is a common post-compromise behavior used to collect sensitive information visible on the screen. The detection relies on script block text telemetry that records the presence of .CopyFromScreen in executed PowerShell.
references:
  - https://github.com/redcanaryco/atomic-red-team/blob/f339e7da7d05f6057fdfcdd3742bfcf365fee2a9/atomics/T1113/T1113.md#atomic-test-6---windows-screen-capture-copyfromscreen
  - https://github.com/SigmaHQ/sigma/blob/master/rules/windows/powershell/powershell_script/posh_ps_capture_screenshots.yml
author: frack113, Huntrule Team
date: 2021-12-28
modified: 2022-07-07
tags:
  - attack.collection
  - attack.t1113
logsource:
  product: windows
  category: ps_script
  definition: "Requirements: Script Block Logging must be enabled"
detection:
  selection:
    ScriptBlockText|contains: .CopyFromScreen
  condition: selection
falsepositives:
  - Unknown
level: medium
license: DRL-1.1
related:
  - id: d4a11f63-2390-411c-9adf-d791fd152830
    type: derived

Convert

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